Epidexipteryx was a scansoriopterygid theropod dinosaur from the Middle Jurassic of China. It is shown here eyeing a Mongoloarachne, formerly known as Nephila jurassica. The single Epidexipteryx fossil contains the earliest known example of display feathers and Mongolarachne is the largest known fossil spider. Illustration by Sergey Krasovskiy
Equus (or Allohippis) sanmeniensis is an early member of the zebra lineage that lived in eastern Asia in what is now China, Tajikistan, and Russia. It lived during the Early to Middle Pleistocene, about two million years ago. Illustration by Sergey Krasovskiy
Euchambersia was an early relative of mammals that lived in the Late Permian Period, before the Age of Dinosaurs. Details of the skull and teeth show that it may have been one of the first venomous tetrapods known. Illustration by Julio Lacerda
Eudibamus is a bolosaurid reptile discovered in Lower Permian rocks in Germany. Bolosaurids were herbivores, and the earliest reptiles to walk on two legs. Illustration by Bálint Benke
By Lucas Lima Eulidia yarrelli is a critically endangered hummingbird from the desert of southern Peru. The male is known for the brilliant iridescence on his neck. This is a Royalty Free image suitable for every educational, editorial, or commercial purposes.
By Lucas Lima The sea scorpion Eurypterus lived in the Silurian period, from 432 to 418 million years ago. Despite its fearsome appearance, it was only about the size of an adult’s palm and likely scavenged as much as it hunted. This is a Royalty Free image suitable for every educational, editorial, or commercial purposes.
By Nathan E. Rogers Around 450 million years ago, arthropods such as millipedes, arachnids, and ancestors of modern insects started to colonize dry land. The formation of the ozone layer allowed life forms to survive without the protection of water. This is a Royalty Free image suitable for every educational, editorial, or commercial purposes.
The genus Tyrannosaurus contained the largest carnivores theropod dinosaurs of all time in what is now western North America. Illustration by Vitor Silva
From about 200,000 to 50,000 years ago, the Indonesian island of Flores hosted a unique species of dwarf human, Homo floresiensis. Also called Hobbits, they reached adult heights of just over a meter. They lived alongside the still extant Komodo Dragon, and the extinct giant stork, Leptoptilos robustus, both of which may have hunted the…
By Nathan E. Rogers During the Late Triassic, dinosaurs were small and relatively uncommon, being overshadowed by large early relatives of crocodiles. At the Ghost Ranch locality in New Mexico, USA, remains of the large rauisuchid Postosuchus are found, as well as the small theropod Tawa.
By Lucas Lima On Timor, in Maritime Southeast Asia, humans co-existed with giant rats and used them as a food source for thousands of years. This activity was indicated by cut and burn marks on the bones of the rats, which grew as large as ten times as today’s rats. This is a Royalty Free image…
Giganotosaurus is one of the biggest predators to have ever existed. It was a carcharodontosaurid theropod dinosaur that shared an environment with Alnashetri, a coelurosaur shown here engaging in symbiotic behavior. Illustration by Sergey Krasovskiy